MODULAR QUICK-CONNECT A/V SYSTEM AND METHODS THEREOF

• US 20160269819A1
• Filed: 05/20/2016
• Published: 09/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonic Blocks, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilker, Scott D., Wilker, Jordan D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/026 Supports for loudspeaker casings
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/028 associated with devices performing functions other than acoustics, e.g. electric candles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/08 Mouthpieces; Microphones; Attachments therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/2803 for loudspeaker transducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/323 for loudspeakers H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/09 Applications of special connectors, e.g. USB, XLR, in loudspeakers, microphones or headphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response

Abstract

A modular speaker system, comprising an exoskeleton, configured to mechanically support and quick attach and release at least one functional panel and an electrical interface provided within the exoskeleton, configured to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the functional panel. An optional endoskeleton is provided to support internal components. The system preferably provides a digital electronic controller, and the electrical interface is a digital data and power bus, with multiplexed communications between the elements of the system. The elements of the system preferably include at least one speaker, and other audiovisual and communications components. Multiple modules may be interconnected, communicating through the electrical interface. A base module may be provided to provide power and typical control, user and audiovisual interface connectors.

Claims

1. A method for operating a modular speaker system having a plurality of acoustic speaker elements, each having respectively different acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency response and directionality characteristics, comprising:

storing at least one of a profile representing characteristics of the plurality of acoustic speaker elements, and information locating a profile representing characteristics of the plurality acoustic speaker elements, in a memory;

reading the profile representing characteristics of each respective acoustic speaker element by an automated digital processor; and

selectively generating a set of respective acoustic speaker element control signals by the automated digital processor, selectively in dependence on the profile representing characteristics of each respective acoustic speaker element and acoustic source data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one acoustic speaker element comprises at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements having differing frequency response, and wherein the automated digital processor selectively controls the at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements to provide an equalized composite frequency response.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of acoustic speaker elements comprises at least two acoustic speaker elements each having a respective profile representing differing directional acoustic emissions, and wherein the automated digital processor selectively controls the at least two acoustic speaker elements to provide an optimized composite acoustic emission in dependence on at least the respective profiles.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing a microphone array and receiving voice commands for controlling the set of respective acoustic speaker element control signals.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising communicating electrical signals between a respective acoustic speaker element, through a corresponding electrical interface, to a digital information electrical bus, to the automated digital processor.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing regulated electrical power through an electrical interface to operate each respective acoustic speaker element.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising equalizing a frequency response of the plurality of acoustic speaker elements based on at least the read profile.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said generated set of respective acoustic speaker element control signals for a single acoustic speaker element is defined by the automated digital processor selectively in dependence on the profile representing characteristics of each of a plurality of respective acoustic speaker element and acoustic source data.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising optimally controlling each of a plurality of the acoustic speaker elements in dependence on at least the received acoustic source data and a respective audio configuration profiles provided for each respective acoustic speaker element.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the automated processor is configured to communicate through the Internet.

11. A method reproducing sounds represented in acoustic source data, comprising:

providing a modular speaker system having a plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, each interchangeable acoustic speaker element having respective acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency response and directionality characteristics, comprising;

determining respective characteristics of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements by reading at least one memory;

processing the determined characteristics of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements by an automated digital processor; and

selectively generating a set of respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element control signals by the automated digital processor, selectively in dependence on the acoustic source data, and the processed determined characteristics of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said selectively generating comprises compensating the acoustic source data for the respective acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency response and directionality characteristics, for each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least two of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements have respectively different acoustic emission properties.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the automated digital processor controls at least a frequency equalization for each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the automated digital processor controls at least a time delay and frequency equalization for each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein each respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element receives a digital communication signal through an electrical bus and a respective electrical connector from the automated digital processor, dependent on at least the determined respective characteristics of another of the plurality of interchangeable acoustic speaker elements.

17. A speaker system, comprising:

a plurality of speaker elements, each speaker element having respective acoustic emission properties selected from the group consisting of frequency response and directionality characteristics;

at least one memory configured to store parameters of the respective acoustic emission properties;

a microphone, within a sound field of the plurality of speaker elements; and

at least one automated digital processor, configured to read the stored parameters from the at least one memory, receive an acoustic source signal, control the plurality of speaker elements to reproduce the acoustic source signal selectively in dependence on the read parameters, receive speech data from the microphone, and to interpret the receive speech as at least one voice command.

18. The speaker system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of speaker elements comprise interchangeable acoustic speaker elements, each having an associated memory storing the parameters for a respective interchangeable acoustic speaker element, further comprising communicating the stored parameters through a separable electrical connector to the at least one automated processor.

19. The speaker system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of speaker elements comprises at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements having differing frequency response, and wherein the at least one automated digital processor selectively controls the at least two interchangeable acoustic speaker elements to provide an equalized composite frequency response.

20. The speaker system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one automated digital processor is further configured to implement at least one of echo cancellation and noise cancellation.